The royal figure relinquishes his designation as Duke of York.

The royal is surrendering his designations, among them the York's Duke, he has stated in a own words.

He has been under increasing scrutiny over his connections with sex offender Epstein, with demands for the Palace to take measures against him.

That now appears to have resulted in the royal deciding to voluntarily return his honors and to give up involvement of the Garter Order.

In his statement he said he continued to "strongly refute the accusations against me".

"In discussion with the sovereign, and my close and broader family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me divert from the responsibilities of His Majesty and the Royal Family," said a message from the royal.

"I have opted, as I always have, to put my obligation to my family and land first.

"I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.

"With the monarch's agreement, we think I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer hold my designation or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said before, I firmly refute the accusations against me."

He has faced a series of issues, among them a lawsuit he settled with the plaintiff, inquiries about his money matters and his association with an alleged foreign agent.

He will stay a member of royalty - but will stop to be the Duke of York, a title bestowed from his mother, the former monarch.

Andrew had already stopped to be a "participating figure" and had given up the use of his royal style and no longer appeared at state occasions. His position now will be even more reduced.

His former spouse will be known as Sarah and no longer Duchess of York, but their children will persist to have the designation of royal princess.

Prince Andrew has faced severe examination over his connections with disgraced financier Epstein, more lately involving doubts about when he had truly ended communication.

In his media discussion, Prince Andrew had said that he had severed all ties with the financier after they had been seen together in the city in the end of 2010.

But emails sent in February 2011 later emerged suggesting that the prince had confidentially remained in contact with the financier, including exchanging a communication: "Stay in contact and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been mounting frustration in Buckingham Palace at the issues that continued to envelop the figure.

Soon a late publication by Virginia Giuffre will be published which is anticipated to bring additional focus on the royal's involvement with Ms Giuffre and the financier.